Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

790B.5/6–853: Telegram

No. 79
The Ambassador in Burma (Sebald) to the Department of State¹

secret

Rangoon, June 8, 1953—5 p.m.

2298. Embtel 2094.² Have received note from Foreign Minister June 5³ stating Government Union Burma desires “defense forces have regular source of supply of arms, ammunition and other warlike stores” and formally requesting their purchase on reimbursable basis and accepting four specific commitments listed Deptel 767, November 26, 1952.⁴

In acknowledging receipt will recommend arrangements be made between War Office and Army Attaché establish procedure for formulation preliminary list. Will keep British fully informed and arrange day-to-day consultation BSM all phases preparation preliminary list.

Because of objections Government Union Burma it is impossible arrange joint discussion with representative War Office and BSM but believe simultaneous separate consultations with full understanding both parties will accomplish purpose Deptel 1459.⁵

Sebald

1. Repeated to London.
2. See footnote 4, Document 70.
3. The texts of Sao Hkun Hkio’s note of June 5 and Sebald’s reply of June 8 were enclosed with despatch 841 from Rangoon, June 9. (790B.5/6–953)
4. Not printed. The undertakings were those required by Section 408(e) of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act of 1949 (63 Stat. 714), as amended.
5. See footnote 3, Document 70.